Juvederm (Allergan) offers a superior line of cosmetic dermal fillers that make use of Hyaluronic Acid (HA) to plump the skin, enhance contours, soften lines and add volume to the face. Cosmetic Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Fillers, like Juvederm Ultra XC and Juvederm Ultra Plus XC, work to replenish the depleted HA and are great tools to soften folds in the skin. As a result, a filler will reveal a more youthful appearance.

In a nutshell, Juvederm filler replaces lost Hyaluronic Acid. Through the aging process, our bodies produce less Hyaluronic Acid. Without enough of this nourishing and hydrating element, elastin and collagen fibers struggle to provide support for the face, resulting in wrinkles, hollows and folds. With a fine-needle, Juvederm Ultra XC is injected into strategic points along the treatment area. As a result, it restores volume loss, in order to impart a youthful appearance.

Juvederm (Allergan), Restylane (Galderma) and Belotero (Merz) are all cosmetic fillers that are derived from Hyaluronic Acid to fill, plump and add volume to the skin. The difference is their maker, and, therefore, their specific and proprietary formulation. It’s best to speak with a medical practitioner to find out which brand is right for you.

The difference is in the size of the molecules of Hyaluronic Acid. Specifically, Juvederm Ultra XC and Juvederm Ultra Plus XC offer a Hyaluronic Acid in a single consistency and uniform molecular weight. (Allergan refers to this formulation as Hylacross technology). On the other hand, Juvederm Volbella, Voluma and Vollure use Vycross technology, which offers different sizes of HA molecules. As a result, Vycross can:

As a result, Vycross fillers typically–

• last longer than Hylacross,
• don’t cause as much swelling,
• can be made stiffer, giving a more powerful lift
• or made softer, for sensitive areas like the lips or eyelids

Allergan offers two product lines of Juvederm HA fillers. These are both used as anti-aging agents for the face, as well as for lip augmentation. The newest line of HA fillers includes Vollure, Voluma and Volbella. It’s predecessor consists of Ultra XC and Ultra Plus XC.

Both HA fillers are highly effective at adding volume to the face. However, the difference between Juvederm Ultra Plus XC and Juvederm Ultra XC is their viscosity and weight. Therefore, each formulation offers a unique balance of the three essential properties of a cosmetic filler: elasticity, cohesity and plasticity.  As a result, each dermal filler is particularly suited for a certain area of the face or for a particular aging concern. Specifically,

Juvederm Ultra Plus XC

A thicker structure gives Juvederm Ultra Plus XC a durability that translates into superior lifting power. Therefore, it is highly effective at providing a sturdy structure to cheeks and filling in deep folds, furrows, creases and wrinkles. It’s indicated to treat severe nasolabial folds and marionette lines.

Juvederm Ultra XC

This filler is thinner and can gently and softly smooth out fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes (crow’s feet), nose and mouth (smile or frown lines), as well as plump a thin lip.

Juvederm Ultra XC smooths areas of mild to moderate volume loss. Specifically, it’s a terrific Juvederm product for thinning lips, mild nasolabial folds, oral commissures, mild glabellar lines and mild marionette lines.  It is not a filler for a deep correction of folds, creases or furrows on the face.

Juvederm Ultra Plus XC is a more viscous dermal filler with a higher molecular weight. As a result of it’s thicker structure, it can correct areas with moderate to severe volume loss. Specifically, it works well on deep nasolabial folds and deep marionette lines. 

A Juvederm XC  injection is actually quite simple and usually takes between 15 minutes to an hour, depending on the treatment area. Juvederm is a gel that gets injected under the skin to provide a smooth, natural look and feel. Our Medical Director, Dr. George, MD, will evaluate your face, and mark strategic injection points for placement. Using a super-fine needle, he will inject the Juvederm with Lidocaine at various predetermined sites along the treatment area. Finally, he evaluate the treatment area to assess whether additional filler is needed to assure maximum benefit to the skin.

It’s very simple: Juvederm XC comes with  a 0.3% Lidocaine in its formulation, while Juvederm does not. Specifically, XC assures the patient a comfortable experience during treatment.

Juvederm post treatment is fairly straightforward. Because cosmetic fillers are minimally invasive, they are safe and effective alternatives to plastic surgery. Following a Juvederm injection, there’s no downtime and most patients can return to normal activity immediately. However, some patients describe a mild pinching, stinging or burning sensation at the injection site, but the treatment is usually easily tolerated. It’s advised that intense physical exercise be avoided for 24-48 hours, in order to minimize swelling. Some patients experience mild and temporary swelling, bruising, numbness, tenderness or redness, which usually dissipates within a few hours to a few days. Topical icing is recommended to alleviate these symptoms.

Juvederm Ultra XC is instantly effective at restoring volume and smoothing out lines and wrinkles and generally last between 6-12 months. Fillers are not permanent and require a maintenance regime. The time between treatment depends on each individual’s skincare concern and treatment goals.

How many syringes of Juvederm Ultra XC depends on the area treated, as well as the correction desired. For example, Juvederm Ultra for lips will be a different price than Juvederm Ultra Plus for cheeks. In general, we suggest that you come in for a private consultation to determine the cost of treatment.

It turns out it’s more important to find the best filler doctor, who has medical training, knowledge of facial anatomy and a keen eye for aesthetics than to master the science behind each particular filler. Because your doctor has an arsenal of specialized fillers now, he has more choices than ever before. He can create a personalized treatment plan based on your particular aging concerns and individual skincare needs.

At Smooth Synergy® Medical Spa in Manhattan, New York City, we offer a comprehensive menu of skin-restoring treatments that includes the complete line of Juvederm Fillers, including Ultra XC, Ultra Plus XC, as well as Voluma, Volbella and Vollure. Book a consultation with our skin care specialists to help you decide which face treatment is best for you. Call us at 212-397-0111 to speak with an expert in beauty and schedule a complementary consultation.